Zechariah 2 9

Zechariah 2:9 kjv

For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

Zechariah 2:9 nkjv

For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me.

Zechariah 2:9 niv

I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me.

Zechariah 2:9 esv

"Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me.

Zechariah 2:9 nlt

I will raise my fist to crush them, and their own slaves will plunder them." Then you will know that the LORD of Heaven's Armies has sent me.

Zechariah 2 verses

Zechariah 2 9 Meaning

Zechariah 2:9 proclaims a future divine intervention where the Almighty will directly execute judgment upon the nations that oppressed His people, Israel and Judah. By a powerful, visible act, God will utterly defeat these enemies, leading to a complete reversal of fortunes where the formerly plundered and enslaved people will now plunder and dominate their former masters. This decisive action will serve as undeniable proof to everyone—both Israel and the nations—that the LORD of hosts Himself is the one who has orchestrated and performed this act of salvation and judgment.

Zechariah 2 9 Context

Zechariah 2 is the second of four night visions given to the prophet Zechariah, following the vision of the four horns and four smiths. This specific chapter focuses on the restoration and future glory of Jerusalem. Initially, a young man attempts to measure Jerusalem, symbolizing its vast expansion in the future beyond human capacity to contain it. The LORD then declares through the angel that He Himself will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem for protection and His glory within it. The immediate context of verse 9 is a divine command for the Jewish exiles to flee Babylon and a promise that the LORD will act decisively against the nations that had scattered and plundered them (referenced as those who "touched the apple of His eye" in the preceding verse). Zechariah 2:9 assures the returning exiles of God's complete victory over their oppressors, thus solidifying their hope in His unfailing promises. Historically, Judah had suffered prolonged periods of oppression under various empires, primarily Babylon, which culminated in the destruction of the temple and the exile. This vision offers a powerful message of hope and vindication in the face of continued challenges.

Zechariah 2 9 Word analysis

• For, behold (כִּי הִנֵּה֙, ki hinneh): An emphatic Hebrew phrase indicating an immediate and certain divine action or declaration, drawing the listener's urgent attention to what follows. It signifies the commencement of a divinely decreed event.

• I will shake (מְנִיעַ, meni'a): This is the Hiphil participle of nu'a, meaning to sway, wave, or totter. In the Hiphil (causative) stem, it signifies God causing a forceful, powerful motion or disturbance. Here, "shake" implies an active, strong, and violent wielding or motion, suggesting the striking hand of divine power against adversaries, rather than a mere gentle wave.

• My hand (יָדִי, yadi): The "hand" of God is a common biblical metaphor for His power, strength, authority, judgment, and direct action. When God's hand is "shaken," it speaks of the demonstration of overwhelming power to subdue enemies.

• over them (עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם, 'alehem): Refers to the nations who had scattered and plundered Judah and Jerusalem, explicitly linked to those who "touched the apple of His eye" in Zech 2:8 (English translations sometimes render Zech 2:8 as 'you', referring to Zion). These nations are the instruments of their own destruction.

• they shall be a spoil (לְשָׁלָ֖ל הָיְתָה, leshālāl hāyětāh): A dramatic reversal of fortunes. Shālāl means "spoil" or "plunder." The very nations that took Israel as spoil will now become spoil themselves. This is God's just recompense, an ancient legal concept known as lex talionis applied nationally.

• to their servants (לְעַבְדֵיהֶ֑ם, le'avdeyhem): This directly identifies "their servants" as the Israelites, the very people whom these nations oppressed and enslaved. This highlights the unprecedented nature of God's restorative work: the former enslaved will dominate their former masters.

• and ye shall know (וִידַעְתֶּ֗ם, vîda'tem): The verb yada' denotes experiential knowledge, a deep and undeniable understanding that comes from witnessing or experiencing something firsthand. It's not just intellectual awareness but a profound recognition and acknowledgment. This knowledge will be universally established among both the Israelites and the nations.

• that the LORD of hosts (כִּ֣י יְהוָה צְבָא֔וֹת, kî YHWH Tseba'ôt): YHWH Tseba'ôt ("LORD of Armies" or "LORD of Hosts") is a mighty title emphasizing God's supreme authority and sovereignty over all heavenly and earthly powers, particularly His angelic armies. This title underscores the immense power behind the promised judgment.

• hath sent Me (שְׁלָחָֽנִי, shelachani): This is a pivotal phrase. The speaker, who declares "I will shake My hand," also states "the LORD of hosts hath sent Me." This highlights the complexity of divine communication in Zechariah. The "Me" can be interpreted as the Angel of the LORD (who often speaks as YHWH Himself), the prophet as God's messenger, or prophetically the Messiah. Scholars often point to a unique intra-Trinitarian sending, where one aspect or person of the Godhead (the "Me") is sent by the other (the "LORD of hosts"), signifying both the unity of God and His direct intervention. It confirms divine authority for the message and action.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "I will shake My hand over them": This portrays a powerful, authoritative, and direct divine act of judgment. The "shaking hand" indicates active, visible, and decisive intervention against those who persecuted God's chosen people.
  • "and they shall be a spoil to their servants": This clause promises a profound and divinely orchestrated reversal of fortune. The balance of power is completely overturned: the once plundered and subjected become the victors and inheritors. This fulfills promises of divine justice.
  • "and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent Me": This final declaration emphasizes the purpose and effect of God's action. The "knowing" is not mere belief, but an experiential realization of God's omnipotence and truthfulness. The enigmatic "hath sent Me" serves as the divine validation and authentication of the entire prophetic word and the forthcoming action. It points to the direct agency of YHWH Himself, possibly through the Angel of the Lord or as a prophetic utterance foreshadowing Christ's being "sent" by the Father, underscoring the unity of divine will and action.

Zechariah 2 9 Bonus section

The "sent Me" phrase in Zechariah 2:9, alongside passages like Isa 48:16 and Zec 4:9, has been extensively discussed by theologians as one of the Old Testament's glimpses into the plurality within the Godhead, prefiguring later New Testament revelation regarding the Father sending the Son. This concept suggests a profound unity of purpose and nature within YHWH Himself, where God (YHWH of hosts) sends God ("Me"), often identified with the Angel of the LORD who functions as YHWH's physical manifestation or presence. This self-sending implies divine immanence, where God actively descends into human history and engages directly with His creation, validating His messengers and bringing His prophecies to pass. This provides theological depth to understanding the unique way God operates and reveals Himself to humanity.

Zechariah 2 9 Commentary

Zechariah 2:9 serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His righteous justice. The "shaking of My hand" symbolizes a decisive, visible, and inescapable act of divine judgment. This imagery communicates that God is not passively observing the suffering of His people but actively intervenes to establish His perfect order. The immediate result—that the oppressor nations will become "spoil to their servants"—is a staggering reversal that demonstrates God's sovereignty over history and nations. It highlights His ability to turn the tables dramatically, uplifting the downtrodden and bringing down the haughty.

The most profound aspect lies in the final clause: "ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent Me." This phrase is foundational for understanding the unique nature of God's direct revelation and action. The "Me" signifies the divine authority of the one speaking this prophecy, indicating that it is not merely a human pronouncement but a word from the very mouth of the Almighty. The "knowing" speaks of an experiential realization that verifies God's omnipotence and faithfulness. Ultimately, this verse confirms God's power, presence, and His role as the sovereign director of human history, assuring His people that their restoration and vindication are not contingent on human strength but on His divine will and action. This principle reassures believers across all ages that God actively defends His own and that His ultimate justice will prevail.